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School threats result in arrests
Noah Gordon.jpg
An Effingham County deputy escorts Noah Gordon out of Effingham County High School on Thursday.
Submitted report
Effingham Herald
Updated: Jan 18, 2019, 2:05 PM
Published: Jan 18, 2019, 3:04 AM

SPRINGFIELD -- The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate another school threat Thursday.

A 16-year-old Effingham County High School student reported to administration that he had received a threat on Snapchat. The school was placed on lockdown and deputies and investigators were called to investigate.

The student's story proved to be totally false. During the lockdown, however, another student came forward and showed administratiors a different Snapchat conversation that actually contained a threat, thinking it was the reason the school was on lockdown. 

That threat was traced back to 19-year-old Noah Gordon. When interviewed, he stated that he was just kidding but admitted to sending the threat. 

Both boys were arrested and charged with disrupting a public school and transmitting a false public alarm. The juvenile is also charged with false report of a crime.

 Gordon has an additional charge of terroristic threats. 

Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie wants to send a strong message to the youth of Effingham County. He said his office's job is to keep them safe and urged them to stop these outlandish threats. 

When copycats report fake threats or send threats from a fake social media account, they cause a ripple effect in the county. Every available deputy and the sheriff respond to the school to make sure the students are safe. School is disrupted and other students are frightened. 

During a lockdown, a school is the safest place in the county. Nobody is allowed in or out until the school is deemed safe. 

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office investigates every threat and takes each and every one of them seriously, the sheriff said.

 If you have information on an incident and wish to remain anonymous, text your tip to 847411 or download the app on your iphone or Android device. Tip 411 is also available on www.effinghamsheriff.org as well as the Effingham County School District websites. 
Effingham Donates 6,900 Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child
Cohen Busbee packs a shoebox with toys, school supplies and personal care items for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. (Submitted photo)
Updated: Nov 26, 2025, 7:11 PM
Published: Nov 25, 2025, 2:28 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Effingham County’s generosity will soon be felt across the globe. Local churches, civic groups and residents combined to donate 6,900 gift-filled shoeboxes this year for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that delivers presents — along with a message of Christian faith — to children in need around the world.

Volunteers fuel  participation

Among those helping lead the effort are Pat and James McElveen, who serve as project leaders for First Baptist Church of Rincon. The couple collects items for their church year-round, coordinates volunteers and helps involve people of all ages in the packing process, including seniors, Bible school groups and individuals from the Low Country Down Syndrome Society.

Operation Christmas Child, operated by the Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, aims to share the Gospel while providing what may be a child’s first gift. Each shoebox contains a “WOW” item, along with other small toys, personal care items, school supplies and clothing. Last year, the organization delivered nearly 12 million shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

Operation Christmas Child
James and Pat McElveen (back row) stand with Cohen (left) and Asa Busbee in a room where shoeboxes have been packed for Operation Christmas Child. (Submitted photo)

Churches, civic groups and residents all contribute

This year’s local total includes contributions from churches across the county — including First Baptist Rincon (5,100 shoeboxes) and Springfield Oaks (1,800 shoeboxes), which also serves as a drop-off site — along with Boy Scouts, high school groups and individual residents who pack boxes throughout the year. Pat said the wide community involvement is what makes the effort meaningful.

All 6,900 local boxes were delivered this week to Metter, where they will be transported to Atlanta for processing before being shipped around the world. Because many deliveries travel into remote regions, not every gift arrives by Christmas, and distributions continue throughout the year.

Once the shoeboxes reach their final destinations, each child receives both the gifts and a booklet explaining the Christian message in their language. For the McElveens and FBC Rincon, that message is at the heart of the project. ”It’s all about Jesus!”

With another successful collection completed, the McElveens say they are already preparing for next year and looking forward to the thousands of children who will once again open a shoebox packed by caring hands in Effingham County.